10. The MAIN IDEA is the POINT the author is trying to make.

11. The MAIN IDEA is like the roof of a house. It covers all important supporting details.

12. The MAIN IDEA is the BIG PICTURE!

13. All the other supporting details in the text or within a paragraph should tell us more about the main idea.

14. Main Idea Formula Topic What is Common in Details

15. Topic + What is Common in Details Have you seen a quagga, thylacine, or a dodo bird? Unfortunately, the closest you’ll ever get to these animals is through a picture. The quagga is a subspecies of the zebra, and it has been extinct since 1883. The thylacine is the largest carnivorous marsupial, and it has been extinct since 1936. Finally, the dodo bird was a flightless bird. The last dodo bird was seen in the late 17 th century!

17. Main Idea Tips Do not pick a detailed or narrow sentence Focus on the big picture Look for any repetitions Remember, a main idea “sentence” may or may not be in the passage If your passage has multiple paragraphs, try to find what is coming in each paragraph

18. Identify the Main Idea 1, 2, 3, or 4 Topic + What is Common in Details= MAIN IDEA

19. Main Idea Bingo

20. Main Idea Graffiti 1. On a separate sheet of paper, write the title of your article. 2. Read the ENTIRE article and use a visual/graphic organizer to chart the main idea of the article 3. Sit quietly until it is time to pass articles 4. You will pass articles, read the new article, and check the main idea visual 5. If it is correct, sign your name at the bottom of the paper. If it is INCORRECT create a new Main Idea graphic organizer

22. TCAP HW 20-27, 29-31